Director Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, My Own Private Idaho, Elephant) will be honored with the Campari Passion for Film Award at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival taking place August 27th – September 6th, 2025.
The festival notes that the award “honors those who turn passion into a driving creative force – not simply as a lifetime achievement, but as a tribute to the will to stand out and leave an indelible mark on the art of cinematic storytelling.”
Gus Van Sant will be presented with the award, before the screening Out of Competition of his new film Dead Man’s Wire starring Bill Skarsgård, Dacre Montgomery, Colman Domingo, Cary Elwes, Myha’la and Al Pacino.
Gus Van Sant, in accepting the offer, said, “I’m truly honored to receive the Passion for Film award. My heartfelt thanks to Campari for this recognition — it means a great deal to me. I’m grateful not only for their acknowledgement of my work, but also for their support of one of the world’s great institutions of cinema celebration and exhibition. It’s a privilege to be part of this tradition, and I deeply appreciate the passion they bring to film.”
Alberto Barbera, Director of the Venice International Film Festival, notes, “Gus Van Sant is a unique filmmaker in the landscape of contemporary cinema, who combines a deeply independent perspective with a remarkable ability to connect with audiences. His cinema moves freely between the Hollywood system and the circuits of cinéma d’essai, engaging with industry rules without ever being constrained by them, and remaining true to a bold and ever-evolving personal vision. He has made films that have left a lasting mark on the collective imagination, from Drugstore Cowboy to My Own Private Idaho, from Elephant to Milk, interpreting and anticipating the anxieties of multiple generations. A discoverer of talent, he has launched actors such as River Phoenix, Keanu Reeves, Casey Affleck, Joaquin Phoenix, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. His filmography alternates minimalism and classical storytelling, queer cinema and political narrative, moving effortlessly into painting, photography and music as well. Forty years after his first feature film, Van Sant remains a fully active artist, ceaselessly capable of reinventing himself, as demonstrated by his latest, remarkable film Dead Man’s Wire”.
“We’re honored to once again confirm the official ‘Campari Passion for Film Award’, created by Campari in collaboration with the Artistic Direction of the Festival,” states Alberto Ponchio, Senior Marketing Director at Campari Group. “Launched seven years ago, the award aims to recognize professionals who contribute to the excellence of cinematic art, highlighting the creativity and passion embedded in the artistic vision of each movie. This year, we celebrate Gus Van Sant, talented American director and screenwriter, one of the foremost authors of independent Cinema, known for his ability to address important social and contemporary issues with great sensitivity and realism, combined with a strong and sincere passion.”
Past honorees include American film editor Bob Murawski, Italian cinematographer Luca Bigazzi, American composer Terence Blanchard, British production designer Marcus Rowland, American costume designer Arianne Phillips, and Italian production designers Tonino Zera and Paola Comencini.
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